Oladipo Osijo, husband of the woman who was allegedly arrested and detained in Lagos on the order of Magistrate Funke Sule-Amzat, has apologised for the false information circulated in the media.
Osijo’s wife, Yetunde, had driven a car that brushed Sule-Amzat’s Toyota Corolla around Abiola Gardens, Ojota on March 21, 2016.
A matter that could have been easily resolved escalated after Mrs. Osijo fled the accident scene but was apprehended at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and taken to Area H, Police Command, Ogba.
Relying on social media account, many news outlets (Qed.ng not included) reported that Sule-Amzat arranged the mother- of-three before her court without legal representation and sent her to Kirikiri Prison because she could not meet the bail condition of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.
The magistrate was roundly accused of abuse of power despite clarification from the Lagos State Judiciary.
This online newspaper is now in possession of a letter of apology dated August 31, 2016 written by Mr. Osijo, in which he apologised for the “unsolicited false publication circulated in the social media and newspapers” in respect of the unfortunate incident.
“I also wish to categorically dissociate my wife and myself from the false publication where it was reported that you arrested my wife, arraigned her in Court and remanded her in Kirikiri. I state that my wife, Mrs. Yetunde Osijo, was arrested by the police and arraigned before Magistrate Court 4, Ogba presided over by Mr. T. Elias.
“My wife and I tender our apologies for any embarrassment the false publications may have caused the Lagos State Judiciary and yourself,” Osijo wrote.
Funke-Amzat has subsequently written to withdraw the criminal charges of reckless driving and escaping from the scene of crime filed against Mrs. Osijo by the police.
In her letter dated October 17, 2016, the magistrate acknowledged the letter written by the defendant’s husband and informed the court she accepted the apology.
A source familiar with the case told our correspondent that the couple were advised to apologise as a civil case of libel could have been added to the criminal charge filed against the defendant.
Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, Gbenga Ogundare, had explained in a statement in March: “The Area Commander made an attempt to resolve the matter but Yetunde Osijo insisted on calling her husband who came in and became very boastful.
“The true position is that the magistrate, upon the occurrence of the incident, lodged a report with the police, who effected an arrest, and upon investigation, arraigned the suspect before the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ogba presided over by Mr. T.A. Elias. She was immediately admitted to bail in liberal terms and the matter was adjourned for mention.
“The suspect was never arraigned before the complainant, Mrs. Funke Sule-Amzat, and she made no order or took any step in respect of the matter. The matter is presently pending before the court for determination.”
